New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-01
Mr.. GOODWIN.

There was n large aud merry company In the Btou
Opcra House last night and IL with pleasure and
ed with mpetuous aud frequent appreciation the
irolicsoe proceedings OF Mr.. Goodwin and his asso
eli ues in the farce OF The Skating Rink" This
farce, made by Mr.. X. u. Morris, has beeu seen be-
fore upon the local stage. The presentment oil II
at tho piiOu is revival The piece suggests no es-
pecial comment tor like the spectacle which IN the
book of Gcneis u said TO have been present ted imme
diatey before the creation. IL ia without form and
void" tainr gesice OF idea Is, possibly, 10 be dts
cerred in II. the torn OF remlniscence OF the old
farce OF " The Mummy but eyel this IA nebulous
and fugitive The put'i attention, however, was not
attracted bv the play hut by the representation OF it,
Mr.. Goodwin IN the cnaracter OF risky youth who
wishes TO the handsome daughter oil an unpropl-
tous comic father hires the old gentlemans barn and
opens skatinL rink In IT, and hither come all the
bows and girls IN the ncghborhood The scheme and
DRIFT OF the role indicated In this specification
Mr.. Goodwn's porto. nance Is a manifestation vi
personal dIollery. lie appears in amazing Costumes
he is surrounded by gay and pretty girls, and he
capers nmbly through numberess situations, not IN
themselves cOmicsl, but w ich are made comical by
his skiu trean cnt OF them and by virtue OF the IN,
ces>ant sparkling Nyacity, the exuOerant amman
sprits and the inyaIiable dry humOr with whic1 20
| invests them a thoughtful observer OF this come
dams natural talent and guilty aed ability night
perhaps look with regret upon its expenditure In
mere irippery and ioolIshness but no observer can
tail to perceive that Mr. Goodwjn-even amid the
paltry surroundings OF this vacuous composition,
conn osuon Intentionally palry and demonstrates
everybody laugh. No one is more clever ut mock
herocs ut sudden and comic transitions from the
rhetorical silt to the coouial cVmmonp ace. NO one
il more ad ro in the preser, alton of the aspect OF
gravity when saying absurd words and doing rdicu-
lous deeds. Mr. Goodwin's scene in the boxofice OF
his show il the perfection OF burlesque.
He was ably assisted 10y the buxom and dashing
Miss Lille Grubb whose ringing vocalism and ath-
letc gyrations inspired her andiehce with rapture An
agreeab and elective episode OF the night was the
performance upon rollerskates, given by "Ihe
Fletcher Trio of Skaters, who said 10 hail from the
Imperial Theatre at ST. Petersburg: The grace skill
deftness and rnerrng precision OF these performers
made them entirely admirable They were loudly
aplauded and twice recalled. Tine public well
J Mr. lyin Skating
rs remarkably cordial and it warrants anticipation
that the piece will have prosperous career It's sue
cess is due eXclr sively to Mr. Goodwin.
Tho frequency and the long continuance OF su'h
trivial plays this is not wholesome sign OF these
| tunes Frolc, no doubt, Is an excellent thing but
the stage IL not the nursery. SO long, however as
people will run after merry rubbish, comedian Is
not perhaps be .ensurrd who puts good ta"e up
on the matter and fools them TO the to OF their BENT